DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Poll: Voters Would Rather Tax The Wealthy Than Cut Social Security

**NikitahDE** · 11-11-2010, 10:47 AM

The commission was originally a Republican proposal, if I'm remembering correctly. Then Pres. Obama endorsed it and the Republican support disappeared.

Anyway, from the little I've heard, the report suggests a combination of raising taxes and cutting spending both to equal 21% of GDP, which is where both were during the times the budget was balanced during the Clinton administration. On the social security end, benefits would be means tested, reduced in increments beginning with those who already have incomes above a certain amount ($50,000, I think?) and medicare premiums would be increased similarly on these same people. Defense is also subject to large cuts across the board. That's the big three.

The Republicans have said absolutely no raising taxes and nobody touches defense. The Democrats have said cutting social security or medicare is dead on arrival, so it would seem that at first glance, neither side is willing to tackle the three largest parts of the budget and Republicans won't give in on raising taxes. It's the same old party lines we've been hearing for decades.

11-11-2010, 10:47 AM	#7
NikitahDE Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 443 Senior Member	The commission was originally a Republican proposal, if I'm remembering correctly. Then Pres. Obama endorsed it and the Republican support disappeared. Anyway, from the little I've heard, the report suggests a combination of raising taxes and cutting spending both to equal 21% of GDP, which is where both were during the times the budget was balanced during the Clinton administration. On the social security end, benefits would be means tested, reduced in increments beginning with those who already have incomes above a certain amount ($50,000, I think?) and medicare premiums would be increased similarly on these same people. Defense is also subject to large cuts across the board. That's the big three. The Republicans have said absolutely no raising taxes and nobody touches defense. The Democrats have said cutting social security or medicare is dead on arrival, so it would seem that at first glance, neither side is willing to tackle the three largest parts of the budget and Republicans won't give in on raising taxes. It's the same old party lines we've been hearing for decades.
	Quote